The Return of the Urban Icon: Smart Reimagines City Travel
The Enduring Legacy of Smart's Pioneering City Car
For decades, Smart's identity has been intrinsically linked to its diminutive, egg-shaped city car, a vehicle universally recognized despite its formal names, City Coupe or Fortwo. This compact, rear-engined two-seater served as the brand's cornerstone from its inception in 1997, solidifying its place as a unique offering in urban transportation. The association was so profound that "Smart Car" became a common descriptor, highlighting the vehicle's iconic status and its deep integration into the public consciousness.
Shifting Gears: The Evolution of Smart's Product Strategy
In 2024, the original Smart car ceased production, marking a transition point for the company. Under new co-ownership between Geely and Mercedes, Smart diversified its portfolio, venturing into the electric vehicle market with larger, more generalized EV crossovers. These new models, surprisingly powerful for the brand's history, represented a departure from the compact design ethos that had previously been Smart's hallmark.
Reconnecting with Core Principles: The Dawn of the #2
The coming year will witness Smart's decisive return to its heritage with an all-electric two-seater city car, meticulously designed to echo the spirit of its renowned predecessor. Adopting Smart's contemporary naming convention, this new vehicle will be known as the #2, signifying a fresh chapter while honoring its roots. This strategic move underscores the brand's commitment to urban-centric mobility solutions in the electric era.
A Global Collaboration with a European Focus
The aesthetic development of the #2 is being spearheaded by Mercedes's design team, while manufacturing operations are based in China, overseen by Geely. Despite its global production footprint, Europe remains a pivotal market for the #2. Dirk Adelmann, Smart's European CEO, has emphasized the significance of this project, stating that the #2 will usher in a new era of personal urban transportation, particularly in iconic Smart cities such as Rome, London, and Paris.
Anticipating the Future: Design and Upcoming Models
Initial glimpses of the #2, revealed through shadowy teaser images, suggest a design that embraces the conventional two-box profile of the third-generation Fortwo, diverging from the distinctive sloped front of its earlier iterations. It is anticipated that the #2 will incorporate design elements from Smart's newer, larger models, including sleek LED lightbars that seamlessly connect the front and rear illumination. The full unveiling of the #2 is scheduled for the upcoming year, forming part of Smart's ambitious plan to launch three new electric vehicles within the next three years, potentially reigniting hopes for a new Roadster model as well.